MASSENA – A Massena teen will be traveling to Yosemite National Park this summer after winning a Nature Bridge Alcoa Scholarship.

Ethan O’Leary, 17, was one of 24 students selected from a worldwide pool.

O’Leary and 23 other students will visit a UNESCO world heritage site for a hands-on learning experience.

The adventure will include backcountry travel and a blending of cultures. Participants will spend a few days getting to know Yosemite National Park from the base at Crane Flat before striking out into the Yosemite High Country for a four-night backpacking trip.

Glaciated valleys, granite peaks, and alpine lakes will provide the backdrop for a challenging backpacking trip through Yosemite’s Cathedral Range.

Back at Crane Flat, students will learn about Yosemite Valley and the Tuolomne Grove of giant sequoias.